I wanted to say hi to the group and thanks for all of the information already that I have learned from this site. I have been into bikes for 20 years now and have owned about 12 bikes over that time, mostly all Triumphs and Yamahas with the occasional Suzuki thrown in. Since seeing an RC30 back in 1990 I have always wanted one...well someday I will have an RC30 but I have lusted after a VFR for almost as long. I rode a '98 back when they first changed over to the 5th gen and loved it. Over the years I came very close to purchasing a Triumph Sprint and had two Yamaha FJRs. Even the later 1050 generations and the GT just did not quite do it for me. Too much engine heat, ergos, the luggage on the ST is crap, build quality issues, weak brakes...I wanted to love the Sprints but couldnt. The FJRs were nice but a bit more touring than I needed. So when I decided to look at another sport touring bike again the Honda quickly came to mind. I rarely ride two up and the power is fine for what I do.
After months of searching I finally found the VFR of my dreams. A 2001 with 575 miles on her. No crazy mods, never dropped (heck it was never even riden!). I quickly figured out what I wanted to do for mods thanks to the forum. Heli Bars, Throttlemeister, Sargent Seat, Ohlins rear shock, stiffen up the front end, HIDs. I have purchased the 6th gen matching top box and side cases and am going to make a winter project to get them fitted to my 5th gen. Great luggage. There were some pictures on here that gave me that inspiration!
Overall I am really enjoying the feel and sound of this bike. I still love all my bikes (4 Triumphs, an Aprilia RS250 and now the VFR) but the VFR is going to get alot of use.
Here are some pics. Thanks to everyone that has helped out with advice and suggestions and tracking down the parts that I wanted. This is a great group!
Welcome aboard!! How in the hell did you find an 11 year old bike with less than a thousand miles on it? What is story behind the bike and did you get a good deal?
Thanks for the welcome. I said the same thing. Who rides a bike that little? The bike obviously scared him, he immediately fitted a Matris steering damper. Nice guy, but I don't think that motorcycles were his thing. I was a bit skeptical of the mileage considering the age. If I found one that had a couple thousand miles I would have been happy. In fact I found two others with only a couple thousand miles on them but they were gone before I could pull my funds together! This one was a lucky find I guess. I have a friend at a Honda shop that ran the VIN, no funny business going on with a new dash or anything. Original owner. I wanted to ask the guy "what the heck were you thinking????!!!!" but I did not want to offend him and lose the bike at the same time.
He was asking $5,500 but I told him that it was going to need some love (new oil/ plugs/ all fluids basically) so I offered him $4800. The only bummer was that he did not have the spare key and seat cowl but I found a cowl easily on here (thanks again VFRD members). The first order of business was a thorough tune up. I went ahead and put in K&N filter since I was there. New Pirelli Angel ST tires to replace the stock Dunlops. I kept them just for posterity :) I fitted the Ohlins shock, Sargent Seat (not in the pics), HID conversion from PIAA (going to test it tonight), stiffened up the front forks, installed Heli bars and Throttlemeisters and I am good to go for now. I would probably fit some stainless lines if I found them cheap enough and maybe work on the fork more but I just want to go ride this thing for now and catch up for the lost time its had parked in a garage. I put 300 miles on it this weekend.
Not sure if it is a smoking deal but honestly I don't care, I finally have a VFR that I have lusted after for years and thats all that matters. Could I have saved a few bucks if I hunted around more? Maybe. But shes mine now :)
That is astonishing to find a 5th gen with that low miles. If I were you I think I'd be a little reluctant to ride it as surely before too long that will be worth some serious cash... 5th gens a future classic...? No Doubt
So you owned a few Yammies eh? hard to guess with a screen name like DELTABOXII... :tongue:
I'd *love* a Priller 250, test rode one back in 1997.. MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEp MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP...
"I love the smell of burning 2 stroke in the morning, it smells like, victory............"
[image: View Post]deltaboxii, on 04 June 2012 - 06:27 PM, said:
Not sure if it is a smoking deal but honestly I don't care, I finally have a VFR that I have lusted after for years and thats all that matters. Could I have saved a few bucks if I hunted around more? Maybe. But shes mine now :)
That's the key, you got what you wanted!
I tell people all the time, I probably paind way too much for mine, but I got a great bike, and I got exactly what I wanted, therefore, I don't really care what I paid, and for sure, you got a better deal than I did with that mileage.....
Damn. I bought my 09 used with only 346 miles on it, but it was only 2 years old. I thought for that number of miles in that amount of time, he must of only ridden it a few times, or just used to take it around the block or something. But a 2001 with 575, I don't know how you can have that low of a number unless he bought it just to admire its beauty! Great find. Congratulations and welcome to the club.
Congrats, there definitely seems to be a bunch of low mileage 5th gens popping up. But 575 is amazing, you got a great deal. I bought mine with 3K 11 years ago and am just hitting 80K now, it should last you another 20 years.
Welcome to VFRD Deltaboxii!! And I must say, great find on your bike!!! I live up in Lafayette, but I'm in the Indy area on my '98 constantly (just last night in fact). What side of Indy are you on? We need to get some of the other VFRD members in the Indy area together for a ride. I'm particurally interested in and would like to check out your suspension upgrades as my stock susp is just not cutting it for me and my 225lbs. And dont tell anyone else on here, but i'd love to check out those Triumphs (and the Aprillia)! :ph34r: